Israel Debates New Power Plant Amid Environmental Concerns in Ashdod

The Israeli government is set to discuss a proposal to build an additional power plant in Ashdod, spearheaded by Energy Minister Eli Cohen and promoted by the Ashdod Oil Refineries. This initiative faces strong opposition from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which warns of worsening air pollution in an area already burdened by significant environmental infrastructure. The ministry's professional staff has advised Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman to reject the proposal.

This comes shortly after the government approved a plan to reduce air pollution in the Ashdod region, a move prompted by resident pressure. However, the Ministry of Environmental Protection argues that the new power plant would jeopardize the achievement of the plan's objectives. According to the Ashdod-Yavne Union for Environmental Quality, the Ashdod area currently generates approximately 14% of Israel's electricity while housing only about 4% of its population.

The region already hosts five power plants generating nearly 2,000 megawatts, alongside major industrial facilities, two large seaports, fuel farms, recycling plants, and extensive transportation networks. Despite a national plan (TAMA 75) that includes further energy and industrial infrastructure development, the existing concentration of polluting facilities contributes to high levels of air pollution. Data from 2025 indicates that Ashdod's industrial zone has the highest emissions of volatile organic compounds in Israel and ranks second for nitrogen oxides and suspected carcinogens.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection has received thousands of complaints from residents regarding odor and air pollution originating from the northern industrial zone. Despite these concerns, the government is considering Cohen's proposal for a new 360-megawatt power plant, intended for the refinery's use and for selling electricity to the national grid. Local residents and environmental groups are protesting, citing the existing environmental strain and demanding the proposal's rejection.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection stated that there is insufficient information regarding the necessity of additional fossil fuel power plants, which would increase emissions and hinder Israel's climate commitments. Amir Zaltsberg, Director of the Southern District at the ministry, recommended Minister Silman oppose the plan, warning that it would harm the public interest and lead to inefficient use of land and air quality resources. He stressed the need to evaluate any new power plant within a comprehensive plan that considers the cumulative environmental load. The Ashdod-Yavne Union for Environmental Quality echoed these concerns, demanding that the health of residents and the existing environmental burden be central to the decision-making process, and that the need for the plant and alternative solutions be seriously examined.